We arrived in Prague at about 7pm. It was misty rain and the metro station we had to get out at was under renovation.......for the next 2 years. We caught tram 9 and arrived late and a little damp.

But we are so far north that it's like the sun never sets. It was as bright at 8pm as it was during the day. We went for a walk to the bridge to look along the river to the next bridge -Charles Bridge - which was the famous one. By this stage I was so hungry and tired that we ate KFC, and it was great!

Next morning we ambled to the main square. Still overcast and grey but only lumpy humidity. We met up with an Australian girl (34) who now lives in Prague and gives free walking tours. After watching a fairly disappointing display by the astronomical clock we headed off. (even the czech's think it's below par

. They have added a trumpeter these days to 'spice it up' but it's still sad.)

It was a great tour and really gave a background to the Czech republic. Things I learnt

1. Dvorak, Mendelssohn, and Kafka were Czech.

2. They only got separate independence in 1983

3. They only threw out the communists in 1979. It was in Wenceslas square that 100's of students protested by shaking their keys ( to symbolize unlocking the restrictions and giving freedom to the people

4. Before the war they had the largest Jewish population in Europe. Hitler didn't bomb the synagogues because he intended the Jewish quarter to be a museum to 'the extinct race'. One of the synagogues is dedicated to all the children to we're taken away 'to keep them safe'. It has the names of every child inscribed on the wall.

After the tour it was time for beer. Czechs invented lager beer and they still make a great drop. Always cold ( what is wrong with the English ) and always big. We had a rich pork stew with dumplings. I also learnt that the czechs don't know what fresh vegetables are. Everything is either preserved or cooked to death.

Later we went for a walk across the bridge. Prague really is lovely......SO much better than Vienna. Strangle enough there was a French food and wine expo. The locals seemed to be having a good time so we got a good glass of red and a plate of cheeses and sat down, in the gutter, with everyone else. Makes it safer when you drink too much if you are already at ground level.

A pleasant walk home and then time to make plans for moving out tomorrow.

We decided to get up early, race up to see the castle and St Vitus church and then get to the station for the midday train to Berlin.